International Atomic Energy Agency

Workshop on Topical Issues on Infrastructure Development:

Managing the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power

Vienna, 09-12 Feb. 2010

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Le Thi Kim Dung Deputy Director, Division of Licensing

Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS)

Safeguards Infrastructure Development in Vietnam

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Table of Contents

I. Vietnam’s Viewpoint in the Use of Nuclear Energy

II. Development of Safeguards-Related Legal Framework

III. Current Implementation of Safeguards

IV. Recent Safeguards Improvement

V. Conclusion

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Vietnam uses atomic energy for peaceful purposes exclusively;

This point of view has been officially stated in many important documents, especially in the following 2 documents:

1) Strategy for Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy up to 2020 (Jan. 2006, by Prime Minister);

2) Atomic Energy Law (Jun. 2008 by the National Assembly).

I. Vietnam’s Viewpoint in the Use of Atomic Energy

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Vietnam has been a party to:

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), 1982;

Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, signed in 1989, ratified in 1990;

II. Establishment of Safeguards-Related Legal Framework

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South East Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone; 1995;

Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT); signed 1996 and ratified in 2006;

II. Establishment of Safeguards-Related Legal Framework

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Additional Protocol (signed 2007).

II. Establishment of Safeguards-Related Legal Framework

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According to Atomic Energy Law:

Article 10: Safeguards activities shall be specified (by the Prime Minister)Prime Minister’s Decision on safeguards has been formulated and expected to be issued in early 2010

II. Establishment of Safeguards-Related Legal Framework

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Then, safeguards implementation shall be detailed and concretized in a Circular, which is expected to be issued by MOST at the end of 2010.

II. Establishment of Safeguards-Related Legal Framework

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Vietnam has had a good cooperation with the IAEA in the implementation of Safeguards over past years, especially safeguards measures for Dalat Research Reactor, in particular: Vietnam submits reports to the IAEA; IAEA carries out inspection once a year (in

November)

III. Implementation of Safeguards

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Vietnam has provided design information is provided to IAEA regarding modification of Dalat RR; and

Vietnam provides IAEA the right to take environmental samples for analysis at Dalat RR.

III. Implementation of Safeguards

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According to Atomic Energy Law:

Article 8: VARANS responsible for assisting the Minister of MOST in organizing safeguards activities

A state system of accounting for and control of nuclear materials has been established;

IV. Recent Safeguards Improvement

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Nov. 2007: National point of contact for safeguards activities in Vietnam was transferred from VAEI to VARANS (the Regulatory Body);

Aug. 2008: Division of Nuclear Safeguards was established (with 4 staff members, and more staff recruited in the future);

IV. Recent Safeguards Improvement

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Feb 2008: IAEA’s approval for exemption of DU shielding for teletherapy machines imported at hospitals; and

March 2008: Secure communication channel was established between VARANS and the IAEA, with the equipment supported by the IAEA.

IV. Recent Safeguards Improvement

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More important is that many seminars/worships/training courses have been established through international cooperation, for example:

National Seminar on Protocol Additional to Vietnam’s Safeguards Agreement co-organized with IAEA, Australia and Japan in August 2007;

IV. Recent Safeguards Improvement

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Expert from IAEA and Australia invited to provide VARANS staff and relevant agencies with information on Australian experience on SSAC and AP implementation, AP requirements;

IV. Recent Safeguards Improvement

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Expert from ASNO invited to provide better understanding of AP requirements

Arrangement on cooperation in nuclear safeguards and related matters between VARANS and ASNO signed in Nov. 2009

IV. Recent Safeguards Improvement

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Vietnam delegation to JAEA/NPSTC for information exchange Technical meetings regarding SG implementation and legal

framework, and planning for future cooperation Discussion on MOC between JAEA and VARANS for

cooperation in the field of non-proliferation

IV. Recent Safeguards Improvement

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Arrangement between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for Information Exchange and Cooperation on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy signed August 2007

IV. Recent Safeguards Improvement

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The VARANS – INSEP (International Safeguards and Engagement Program) collaboration has resulted in a number of action sheets to support the following areas:

Development of legislation, regulations, and implementing rules and guidance for peaceful nuclear power;

Assistance in strengthening state systems of accounting and control (SSAC);

Implementation of the Additional Protocol (AP).

IV. Recent Safeguards Improvement

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With respect to Safeguards, it can be said that:

1) Vietnam is standing at Milestone 1;

2) Significant progresses have been made over recent years;

V. Conclusion

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3) More effort should be made to ensure that national safeguards capacity can meet the requirement for a nuclear power programme.

4) Good international cooperation can be considered as the deciding factor for trust building as well as successful safeguards implementation.

V. Conclusion

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Thank you very much for your kind attention!

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